Tuesday, January 22, 2008

The Importance of Feminist Critique for Contemporary Cell Biology

Both of the articles, “The Importance of Feminist Critique for Contemporary Cell Biology” by The Biology and Gender Study Group and “From the Woman Question in Science to the Science Question in Feminism” by Sandra Harding focus on the impact a feminists’ analysis will have on biology and sciences. The Biology and Gender Study Group go into grave detail about male scientists from the beginning of the eighteenth century who caters the facts about biology in favor of men. There is a manipulation of the facts to capture males as the strong and aggressive type while women are characterized as weak and docile. A lot of gendered analysis derives from biological differences and interpretations from male doctors and scientists. In the article, male scientists such as C.E. McClung and Campbell use the biological relations of a sperm and egg to determine how women and men behave in a general matter. Scientists and doctors also have held biases in biological differences that determine the marital roles of men and women in society.

The significance of science is highlighted in the article by Sandra Harding. She explains that America has a scientific culture and when a feminist perspective penetrates the mainstream scientific thought it will make a considerable difference in science. Harding outlines the steps that women can take in science to discredit the bias views of biology. This article illustrates the challenges women may have in the field of science but offers suggestions to influence the world of science.

I believe that women should explore science and discover the biological differences that reveal the truth with accuracy about men and women. I think that women can radically change the way biology and gender is perceived today by popular culture. There is a tremendous need for women’s research and scientific opinion on biology because it is the foundation of truth and reality of the American culture.

1 comment:

Feminist Theorist said...

"There is a tremendous need for women’s research and scientific opinion on biology because it is the foundation of truth and reality of the American culture." So true!

I s this something we should change and/or challenge? Is it just about making science more feminist or reconfiguring what we understand as "science" altogether? What might a transnational framework do for "American" notions of science and society?